Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo appeals against Ombudsman’s order

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas – 2 hours ago

May 22, 2024
Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo appears before the Senate as Senator Risa Hontiveros highlighted Guo’s alleged ties to Chinese “criminals” amid the Senate’s ongoing investigation into the mayor’s ties to POGO centers in her area.
REQUEST/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines – Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo called the complaint a “false accusation” and on Thursday urged the Office of the Ombudsman to lift the preventive suspension imposed on her.

“All of the allegations against the defendant (Guo) are an amalgamation of highly distorted, exaggerated and fabricated stories maliciously designed to deceive the honorable office and allege that the defendant is guilty of serious misconduct, serious dishonesty, dereliction of duty and conduct detrimental to the interests of the service,” the motion for retrial states.

By order of May 31, Guo was suspended for six months as a precautionary measure while an investigation against him is ongoing.

In addition to Guo, municipal business permit and licensing officer Edwin Ocampo and municipal legal officer Adenn Sigua were also suspended.

READ: Alice Guo suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac

The complaint centers on the issuance of a business license allowing Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) to do business in Bamban.

Earlier this year, a raid was carried out at the Pogo hub, rescuing hundreds of foreign workers.

Guo was investigated after an electricity meter owned by Zun Yuan was registered in his name. Authorities also found a vehicle registered in the mayor’s name at the facility.

“Why doesn’t she issue a mayor’s permit if the applicant complies with the regulations? Because we have the Anti-Red Tape Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act. If you don’t issue a mayor’s permit, you’re the one who will be sued,” said Guo’s lawyer Stephen David.

Regarding her lavish lifestyle, the motion for retrial states: “She was able to purchase the more than seven hectares of land legally when she was still a private individual and ordinary citizen.”